02. A HEAVENLY DISCOURSE BETWEEN CHRIST AND MARY,

A HEAVENLY DISCOURSE BETWEEN CHRIST AND MARY, AFTER HIS RESURRECTION

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said to him, Rabboni; that is to say, Master. And Jesus said to her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.—John 20:16. THE same love of Christ that drew him from heaven to the womb of the virgin, from the womb of the virgin to the cross, and from the cross to the grave, the same love of Christ moved him to discover himself after he was risen from the grave to them that he knew did entirely and wonderfully love him. And therefore, before he would ascend to heaven, he did vouchsafe many apparitions* and discoveries of himself, partly to instruct them in the certainty of his resurrection, and partly, but especially, to comfort them: those that he knew did love him. His first apparition of all was made to Mary, the woman out of whom he had cast seven devils, Luk 8:2. She was much beholding to him, and therefore loved much, Luk 7:47. No sex may discourage any sinner from Christ. She expresseth her love of Christ by her desire of finding him, by her seeking and weeping, notwithstanding all impediments, before she found him. As she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre, and there saw two angels in white: a colour of glory, purity, and joy, because it was a time of joy. They were one at the head, and the other at the feet. As in the law, when the mercy-seat was made, two cherubims were also framed, and placed one at the one end, and the other at the other end thereof, with their faces looking one towards another, Exo 25:20. And when Christ was risen, there were two angels, one at the head, another at the feet, to shew that peace was to be expected in the true propitiatory, Jesus Christ.

One at the head, the other at the feet of the body of Jesus. And they sat there. It was a time of peace. Peace was made between heaven and earth, God and man; and here is a posture of peace, ’They sat quietly.’ In Christ, angels and we are at one; God, and we, and all. There is a recapitulation and gathering of all things in heaven and earth, Col 1:20.